Top 10 Significant Motorcycles Designed By Massimo Tamburini

6. Cagiva C589

For a brief period of time Cagiva tried its hand at 500cc grand prix racing. In the 1989 season, the C589, piloted by Randy Mamola and styled by Tamburini, featured such items as a horizontal shock and banana-style swingarm. However, the results were often lackluster, as the Cagiva lacked top-end speed. In an effort to gain some back, Tamburini designed a more aerodynamic fairing. The effort helped, but despite the marginal gains, the C589 was plagued by incorrect weight distribution and poor power delivery. Cagiva carried on in grand prix racing until 1994, when American John Kocinski’s relatively consistent finishes (and a win) netted a respectable third-place in the championship. Had the C589 and its descendants been more successful, its ranking on this list would likely be higher.

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Matt Maddalena

I was all set to argue the placing of the Brutale, F4, and the Bimota HB1, but then I realized you wrote an article about the most “Significant” designs, not the most beautiful. In that case your listing makes perfect sense, but I still rate those 3 above even the 916 for aesthetics. Good article, a fitting tribute to a man’s who’s impact will be FOREVER felt… Ciao, Mr Tamburini. Until we can ride together in Heaven.

JMDonald

Genius in design shows itself as true art and can only be developed over time. Tamburini’s influence will be felt for many years no doubt.

http://www.motou.info Gabe Ets-Hokin

Great story Troy! Really good reading.

Billy Jack

Adrian Morton designed the MV Agusta F3, not Tamburini. To not even mention Morton’s name – and to call the F3 a “fitting send-off for the legendary designer (Tamburini)” – is way, WAY off base. In interviews I’ve read with Morton, he actually had to defend his design against the input of both Tamburini and Castiglioni, both of whom desired that it look more like the F4. Whatever minimal (and largely unknown) influence he may have had on the F3, by way of critique, it certainly doesn’t belong on a list of “…Motorcycles Designed by Massimo Tamburini”.